HELP ... need help identifying marking of Lee Enfield..NOT FOR SALE YET

[Mad-Don]

HELP... can you help me id some of these markings on gun...ENFIELD MKIII 1917

Serial #6426 Throughout all areas

On middle barrel
Elevated sights 2000 yds 6426 X
barrel in frt of sights HV [HV indicates sighted for the MkVII round, common mark

ON REAR OF BARREL-In front of bolt action right on barrel round
X over
2ME
6426
6426

left barrel round of bolt action
BNP 303
2.222
185 TONS PER []
Export Marks Now this may well be one of the more common set of stamps. A set of information marks, that were stamped onto the rifle when sold out of service. That the rifle fired a ,303 projectile, the case max overall length was 2.222 in inch’s and it was pressure tested to 18.5 to ton. The BNP stood for British Nitro Proof, it was tested and passed Nitro proofing.
Crown over BNP

,CROWN ER crossed flags 95
9.OI E C
crown 35 E [9T <- Large]
Sold out of Service, meaning just that, the rifle was at the end of its useful military life was sold into the commercial market. It would have then been proofed if exported and stamped along with the image with .303 2.222 etc.

FRT BREECH
24

REAR BREECH
"A"

ON SAFETY
III
ENGLAND

ON BOLT front
"U"

BOLT REAR "1"
-> F
CROWN E

BOLT GRIP
6426
CROSSED FLAGS
CROWN above BNP
N

ON TRIGGER
Rt side pointing upwards<-
broad-arrow-variation
Now this symbol is known as the “Broad Arrow“, there are many variations and it may be found with other markings. It denotes acceptance / issue as a military rifle into a specific country( such as NZ either side denoting New Zealand) or on its own. This mark may be found on various part of the rifle including woodwork.
LFT CROWN R69

RT side OF BREECH

ENFIELD
1917
S HT LE [This former rifle is now more commonly known, in its various marks S HT LE, as the 'Long' Lee-Enfield,]
MKIII*

Ammo Clip
EFD arrow pointing direction of load "3"

BUTT PLATE "G"

 

[buffdog]

.
You have probably answered most of your questions yourself. Most of the markings are common to the SMLE and you already know the Civilian markings. BNP is Birmingham Nitro Proof which means that the rifle was proof fired before sale to the public. A lot of the numbers are inspectors numbers. The U on the bolt head is for "Undersized" and used as a measure of allowing for headspace.

The only thing different from the ordinary SMLE is the "N". Depending upon where it is, a "N" about 1/4 inch high is usually Naval Issue but it could also be for "Nitro Proofed." Pictures would help. There is usually a two digit date stamp on the barrel -- if original it should be 17 but if rebarelled, it could be later.

 

[sunray]

Export marks have nothing to do with in or out of service. Everything to do with Brit law. All milsurps sold through England were required to be proofed before being sold.
Tested to 18.5 tons per square inch(PSI).
The 'ENGLAND' anywhere is a U.S. import rule about country of origin.
The BNP under the Crown is Birmingham Nitro Proof after 1954.
The CROWN ER crossed flags should be GR for George Rex, not the Elizabeth Regina the ER means.

 

[Mad-Don]

Thanks, really appreciate the fill-ins

 

[tacfoley]

It would have then been proofed if exported and stamped along with the image with .303 2.222

In the UK Firearms Proof Laws ALL firearms sold out of service must pass Proof at either the London or Birmingam Proof Houses before they can be sold commercially on the civilian market in UK, and incidentally to anywhere else in the CIP signaturee nations.

It has nothing to do with export.

Every firearm made in a country OUTSIDE the CIP signaturee nations must be proofed on entry to the UK in order to be sold there.

Naturally, but upsetting in some quarters, this includes firearms of all kinds made in the USA, which does not have a federal or national compulsory STANDARD of manufacture, simply a set of recommended data supplied by the American National Standards Institute, and documented by a voluntary compliance under the auspices of the SAAMI - Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute, Inc.

Therefore every sporting arm, long or short, heading into this part of the world from the USA has to be proofed - which naturally adds just a little bit more to the horrific cost here.

tac

 

[Mad-Don]

I have owned this gun since 1958 and hunted regular with it choosing it when longer shots are available. Have successfully made a shot at approx. 1000 yds which by the way was sheer luck but shows the capability of this fine rifle. Have also missed much shorter shots due to a number of things...I appreciate you all sharing for my understanding this outstanding piece of equipment.